State Services Commission

Infobox Government agency
agency_name = State Services Commission
nativename_r = Te Komihana O Ngā Tari Kāwanatanga

logo_width = 140 px
logo_caption = Logo of the State Services Commission


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jurisdiction = State sector organisations in New Zealand
headquarters = Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington coord|41|16.55|S|174|46.7|E|display=title|region:NZ_type:landmark
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minister1_name = David Parker
minister1_pfo = Minister of State Services
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chief1_name = Iain Rennie
chief1_position = State Services Commissioner
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website = http://www.ssc.govt.nz/
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The State Services Commission ("Te Komihana O Ngā Tari Kāwanatanga" in Māori), formerly the Public Service Commission, is a central government agency within the New Zealand government. The current State Services Commissioner is Iain Rennie [ [http://ssc.govt.nz/display/document.asp?navid=268 SSC website] ] . The current Minister of State Services is David Parker [ [http://www.beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/state+services beehive.govt.nz] ] .

The role of the State Services Commission is to guarantee a high level of civil servants for New Zealand through performance management. The SSC's official responsibilities, as defined by the State Sector Act 1988, include:
*appointing and reviewing Public Service chief executives,
*promoting and developing senior leadership and management capability for the Public Service,
*providing advice on the training and career development of staff in the Public Service,
*reviewing the performance of each department,
*providing advice on the allocation of functions to and between departments and other agencies,
*providing advice on management systems, structures, and organisations in the Public Service and Crown entities,
*promoting, developing, and monitoring equal employment opportunities policies and programmes,
*any other functions with respect to the administration and management of the Public Service, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The overarching goal, by Cabinet endorsement, is "A system of world class professional State Services serving the government of the day and meeting the needs of New Zealanders".

Development goals

To support the overarching goal mentioned above, the SSC has six specific development goals for State Services [ [http://www.ssc.govt.nz/display/document.asp?DocID=6368 SSC website] ] :
*Goal 1: Employer of ChoiceEnsure the State Services is an employer of choice attractive to high achievers with a commitment to service.

*Goal 2: Networked State ServicesUse technology to transform the provisions of services for New Zealand.

*Goal 3: Value-for-Money State ServicesUse resources and powers in an efficient, appropriate and effective way.

*Goal 4: Coordinated State agenciesEnsure the total contribution of government agencies is greater than the sum of its parts.

*Goal 5: Accessible State ServicesEnhance access, responsiveness and effectiveness, and improve New Zealanders' experience of State Services.

*Goal 6: Trusted State ServicesStrengthen trust in the State Services, and reinforce the spirit of service.

Branches

The SSC is currently divided into six branches [ [http://www.ssc.govt.nz/display/document.asp?navid=266 SSC website] ] .

Performance Management Branch

The Performance Management Branch is responsible for providing leadership in relation to appointing chief executives and performance management within State agencies. It also has responsibility for ensuring the achievement of and monitoring progress towards the Development Goals.

The branch also interacts with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Treasury to develop and maintain a set of shared outcomes for the three central agencies.

ystem Improvement Branch

In 2007, the Development Branch (responsible for the Accessible State Services Development Goal) and Governance Branch (responsible for the Trusted State Services and Coordinated State agencies Development Goals) were merged into the System Improvement Branch. The System Improvement Branch has inherited responsible for the three Development Goals.

The Branch helps agencies by:
*improving public management practices and systems
*strengthening the spirit of service
*promoting New Zealanders' experience and expectations of the State Services.

Information and Communication Technologies Branch

The Information and Communication Technologies Branch has primary responsibility for working towards the Networked State Services Development Goal. The branch provides advice regarding information communication technology investments by the government and related matters. It is responsible for the E-government Strategy, delivering its outcomes and is home to the Government Chief information officer.

People Capability Branch

The People Capability Branch has primary responsibility for working towards the Employer of Choice Development Goal.

The branch is also responsible for the senior leadership and development strategies, the State Sector Retirement Savings Scheme (the State Sector's retirement scheme prior to Kiwisaver), and activities of the Public Sector Training Organisation.

The Mainstream Supported Employment Programme was housed in this branch until it was moved to the Department of Labour in 2008.

Corporate Services Branch

The Corporate Services Branch holds the role of ensuring that the SSC has the capability necessary to facilitate and support the achievement of the Development Goals. This includes ensuring that the SSC has the necessary resources, develops the right organisational culture, and has appropriate systems and processes in place, so that it can deliver the right things at the right time, while meeting its statutory obligations as an employer and Public Service department.

Commissioner's Office

The Commissioner's Office acts as the Commissioner's support group. This includes the SSC's legal team. This ensures that the State Services Commissioner has ready access to legal advice concerning the exercise of his statutory powers. Legal advice is also available to all branches of the SSC.

ee also

*State Services Commissioner
*State sector organisations in New Zealand

External links

* [http://www.ssc.govt.nz/display/home.asp SSC's home page]
* [http://blog.e.govt.nz SSC's blog]
* [http://www.e.govt.nz/ New Zealand E-Government home page]
* [http://www.learningstate.govt.nz/display/home.asp Learning State] run by the Public Sector Training Organisation
* [http://www.jobs.govt.nz/ New Zealand Government Jobs Online]

References